NAVAL MEN AT ROTORUA.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 15 August 1925, Page 3

NAVAL MEN AT ROTORUA.

ENTHUSIASTIC' MAORI WELCOME. (Per Press Association.) ROTORUA, August 15. Admiral Robison and the officers of the fleet had a great reception by the combined Arawa tribes at Ohinemutu yesterday. Most cordial speeches were made by the chiefs and the Admiral and party witnessed splendidly given hakas and pels. AH the guests were most enthusiastic and delighted with the welcome. FINE WEATHER AT AUCKLAND. AMERICAN PARTY FOR ROTORUA. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, August 15. Perfect weather is* affording the Fleet visitors a good day’s entertainment with races at EHerslie and the usual sporting events. Five hundred men left for Rotorua this morning. DULL AUCKLAND. AMERICAN OFFICERS “RUSHED. - ’ WHILE MEN ARE NEGLECTED. AUCKLAND, August 14. Auckland is, half the size of a New York cemetery and twice as dead — according to an American sailor. Unfortunately his opinion is. shared by many of his brethren, who quite openly express their small opinion of Auckland, while lauding to the skies ■ Sydney and the Australians. This morning the Herald devotes some space 3 tp the opinions of the visitors of their reception in Auckland as follow; Many of the “Jackies” of the American Navy at present in Auckland are having a “thin” time, and when they express themselves on the subject they usually make reference to the festive spirit of their reception in Sydney, and sigh at the thought. THE ICE NOT BROKEN. It cannot be denied (says the Herald) that Auckland, if not actually chilly towards them, has not opened her heart to them. The people of New Zealand are not particularly demonstrative, but if they realised the charm and intelligence of the majority of the visitors they would shako off their reserve, and let the sailors see that they really wish to be friendly hosts. All that is wanted is the opportunity to get acquainted with the visitors. This could be done if a series of dances on a large scale were arranged for the men, and the experience of the ladies, of the Navy League, who nightly dance with the men at the Prince’s wharf, would be the experience of hundreds of the citizens It is unfortunately true that most of the organised entertainment is for the officers of the fleet; who have the additional advantage of being invlt ed to private dances and evenings. Many of them, in fact, will be suffeited with this form of hospitality before the time comes for them to take their leave. In striking contrast to this hundreds of men are left io walk the streets on cold, stormy nights, and it is little wonder that some of them have declared their intention qf returning ter their ships and staying there. ■A number of the “Jackies” commiserated with each other on the water front last night while they i waited in a bleak wind for their barges to take them off. “Auckland > is dull, and the people are dead,” ' said one. “She’s sure a hick town, i said another, while a third, evidently from the South, expressed his feel- i ings in the most picturesque -way; - "I’ll tell the world its dull dullness. 1 Why, Bn, that’s one thing Auckland i has nothing else but.” The “Herald” goes on to suggest i the organisation of large dances in ( the Town Hall and elsewhere for the : entertainment of the lower deck. ROUGH WEATHER IN PORT. PENNSYLVANIA LOSES LAUNCH. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 15. A motor launch from the Pennsylvania broke away from its moorings during the heavy weather last night and piled up on the rocks near Kaiwarra Beach. The launch is a complete loss. U.S. NAVY MEN VISIT COUNTRY. GOLD WEATHER IN SOUTH. (Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, August 15. Two hundred officers and men from the Fleet went to Oamaru today and a similar number to Mosgiel and Milton. Others attended the New Zealand cross country championship and other sporting at nigM in which snow and sleet fell. The weather is. fine but dull.